The Rocky Mountain 2005 range can already be found online on the German RM importer site. The site includes pictures and German language descriptions of the whole RM 2005 range.

The address is:

http://www.bikeaction.de/content.php?lang=de&folder=62

Droooooolllllll. OMG, damn them I want a Blizzard now, or maybe an ETSX-90, or a Element TSc. I need to win the lottery!

Im disapointed. they all look the same as last years bikes.

Im disapointed. they all look the same as last years bikes.

Look more closly at the etsx bikes the 90 has a scandium main frame and carbon rear.

The paintjob on the ETSX's are fugly. The only things they're missing are chrome rims and a NEUSPEED sticker on them.

That frame only slayer looks AWESOME!!!

i am a bit dissapointed that there is no beefier, longer travel ETSX in the range though :¬/ I know the Slayer is very popular an all but i'd like to see the ETSX longer travel option.....

Did you find what's the difference between the ETSX-Nitrous and the 70 ??? Apart from the paint-job and price....
Maybe some material change or different shock ?

Look more closly at the etsx bikes the 90 has a scandium main frame and carbon rear.

Is there any parts you can buy for your ETSX to make it have 5 inches of travel. like the betd thing that you can put on the specialized bikes.

Did you find what's the difference between the ETSX-Nitrous and the 70 ??? Apart from the paint-job and price....
Maybe some material change or different shock ?

I think it is what they are calling the bike when you buy frame only. But I could be wrong.

Is there any parts you can buy for your ETSX to make it have 5 inches of travel. like the betd thing that you can put on the specialized bikes.

If you are willing to viod your warenty you could use a dremell tool and ream the top shock mount back another quarter inch closer to the seat tube. It would give you a bit more travel but could possibly mess up the leverage ratio of the linkage a bit. If you could get a spare top link arm it could be fun to play with.

the 2004/2005 etsx vs the 2002/2003 has more frame clearance in the rear and therefore
could accept a 6.5" iti shock with a 1.75" stroke giving a max travel of 5.5". I haven't tried
this but it looks like it could be done. Fox still sells a vanilla 6.5 x 1.75 vanilla rl.

Anyway...i like the way they have stood behind the original design.

ETSX RULES!

michael

the slayer and switch special edition frames look awesome, but they're going to be expensive...

also, the slayer has a slacker head angle and a lower bottom bracket this year (by one degree and one inch, respectively).

etsx platform will be long-travel in 2006, by the way.

how do you know they will be long travel in 2006.

I was also wondering what is the difference between ETSX-70 and Nitrous. The geometry data looks similar and if you look at the picture of Nitrous it actually says ETSX-70 on the frame. Price of the Nitrous frame seems to be 200 EUR higher than ETSX-70. Unfortunately they don't give much info on the Nitrous.

ETSX-90 looks pretty nice.

The 2005 ETSX seat tube pivot mounts have been extended and overlap reinforcing the
seat tube in the critical stress area. This is probably the most significant change. I'm not
sure I would want the carbon fibre rear end, at least not until it has proved itself.

michael

how do you know they will be long travel in 2006.

well, i don't know much about it, since nothing official has been released from rocky mountain. but that's the goal, anyway.

But how do you know all of this. Do you work for rocky mountain or somthing???

But how do you know all of this. Do you work for rocky mountain or somthing???

No...I don't work for RM...if I did there would never have been an issue with frame breakage!

I simply hunted around on the German site until I found an ETSX with a colour that revealed
frame detail. The image above, whilst pixilated, cleary shows re-engineered pivot mounts.

The above poster who opted for a Kona may live to regret his decision. RM has addressed
the issue. Any broken frames will now be replaced with a 2005. Which reassures me
since I still have 3 years of warranty left on my frame. Anyone in the market for an ETSX
and can still find a discounted 2003 or 2004...go fo it. If it breaks you'll get a 2005!

As fo me...I'm saving for an 2005 ETSX 70 frame.

michael

I noticed that the new RM line uses race face cranks not xt, like the 04 higher end models . Just wandering why? I hope there were no problems with them, i just bought an Slayer 70 with the xt octan cranks.

I noticed that the new RM line uses race face cranks not xt, like the 04 higher end models . Just wandering why? I hope there were no problems with them, i just bought an Slayer 70 with the xt octan cranks.

I'm guessing they made the switch because the RF cranks are new and cool more than anything. I think the Deus weighs 40g less than XT as a bonus. IMO the RF cranks look wayyyy nicer (bike jewlery), should help to sell the bikes.

Just got back from my bike shop and to my surprise my brand spankin' new '05 ETSX-70 had just arrived complete with new pp shock. I take back my comment about these being fugly. It is just the opposite, an absolute head turner, eye candy of a frame.

The pivot supports are 100% different and much more reinforced than earlier models. Will post a complete set of pics if and when I can figure out how to post them. I'll make sure to include non pixelated shots of the supports.

Here it is..hope it works

http://www.pbase.com/managuense/gallery/etsx70

Hi guys,

I am glad to hear, that you do like the posting/presentation of the 2005 Rocky Mountain line-up. Our website has the hard earned reputation, that we are the first to deliver news regarding our products, teams, events, i.e. Race Face Performance Products, and Rocky Mountain Bicycles. I am aware, that the page is written in German, but most of it, meaning specs etc... are universal. Howver, we are always looking for your input on how to make our homepage even more userfriendly, and establish it as the #1 source for news and information on Rocky Mountain Bicycles, and Race Face Performance Products.

By the wy, the differnence between the ETS X 70 and the ETS X Nitrous frame is only the paint job. In 2005 we do offer "Special Editions" for our full suspension models, which will be available in only limited numbers (see "Special Editions 2005" (http://www.bikeaction.de/content.php?lang=de&folder=269)). The difference in price resulted out of the special paint job, i.e. the requested tools.

Here it is..hope it works

http://www.pbase.com/managuense/gallery/etsx70

Great pictures! Cheers for that. I've been really happy with my 2004 model so far and now IF the frame should ever suffer from a breakage then I'm certain that the new ones have it resolved. Excellent :)

beautiful frame...
AND
talk about beefing up the pivot mounts...WOW!

michael

[In 2005 we do offer "Special Editions" for our full suspension models, which will be available in only limited numbers (see "Special Editions 2005" (http://www.bikeaction.de/content.php?lang=de&folder=269)). The difference in price resulted out of the special paint job, i.e. the requested tools.[/QUOTE]


Will the retro-Element paint job be available on the Team Scandium? Is this a German only option or is it available in Canada also?

[In 2005 we do offer "Special Editions" for our full suspension models, which will be available in only limited numbers (see "Special Editions 2005" (http://www.bikeaction.de/content.php?lang=de&folder=269)). The difference in price resulted out of the special paint job, i.e. the requested tools.


Will the retro-Element paint job be available on the Team Scandium? Is this a German only option or is it available in Canada also?[/QUOTE]

From what I've heard Rocky will do custom paint jobs if you're LBS has a good relationship with them (and they don't get much better than The Bike Shop!) and you catch them at a slow period. I'd bet you could get a Team SC painted any color they offer if you ask nicely!

Hi there,

The 2005 RM Element Retro will be available worldwide, i.e. in Canada, too. However, there will be no "Special Edition" paintjob on the Element TSc for multiple reason. A. because of the Scandium frame and the special paint you do need for the frames, and b. TSc stands - after all - for the Element Team Scandium, so it will be painted in the official colours of our team.